Wagon-gear



(No Model.)

N. L. HOLMES.

WAGON GEAR.

HUM HII y Ill ' llrrrrnn STATES vPA'jrnNr @erica NATHAN L. HOLMES, 'or RACINE, wISooNSIN.

wAeoN- G EAR.

EQPECIFICATON forming pari'. of Letters Patent No. 330,118, dated November 10, 1885.

Application filed November 24,1884. Serial No. 148,638. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN L. HOLMES, of Racine, in the county of Racine and State lof Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wagon-Gears; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention is essentially directed to the improvement of the running-gear of a wagon;

first, at the point where the forward converging ends of the rear hounds are permanently connected together, and an adjustable connection established between the rear hounds and the reach; secondly, at the Vpoint where the reach passes between the bolster and the rear axle; thirdly, at the points` where the braces which usually extend from the rear axle to the forward ends of the rear hounds are connected with the latter; and, nally, at the points where the rear ends of the rear hounds are connected with the bolster and the rear axle.

The several prominent objects of my invention are to embody, in the construction of a rigid-and permanent connection between the forward converging ends of the rear hounds at the point where the reach passes between the same, a socket for the reach adapted to establish between the latter and the houndsa strong and rigid connection, which shall effectively prevent either a vertical, lateral, or end movement of one member independently of the other; to adapt said socket to be adjusted in area, so as to provide not only for a ready relative adjustment between the hounds and the reach, but also to provide forfirmly and effectively clamping and holding the reach between the walls of the socket, and to incorporate in the construction of said socket means which shall admit of the ready contraction or expansion of 'its area without necessitating the slightest change or adjustment in the direct connection which is employed at this point as a means for rigidly connecting together the hounds; to provide at the point where the the reach passes between the bolster and the'rear axle asocket or bearing for the reach composed of two interlocking parts susceptible of being respectively secured to the bolster and the rear axle before the said two members are connected, and adapted both to servev as a guide in bringing together the bolster and the rear axle and as a durable and efficient socket or -bearing for the reach after the bolster and the rear axle have been secured together in their proper relative positions; to provide simple and substantial means for connecting certainpbracerods with the devices which serve to connect tov gether the forward converging ends of the rear hounds vand to provide means for securing the rear ends of the rear hounds between the bolster and the rear axle, whereby the said members can be firmly and squarely fitted together, and several decided advantages, hereinafter more particularly referred to, attained in fitting and connecting said parts of the running-gear of A a Wagon.- Further objects are to insure ageneral rigidity throughout the entire structure, and hence to more generally distribute the strain throughout the same, and to provide certain novel and improved details of conlarger `scale than Fig. 3, and illustrates the y connection between a brace-rod and a bottom plate attached to and connecting the hounds. Fig. 5 represents in perspective and on a larger scale the clamping-plate, which is employed in connection with a socket formed between the forward ends of the rear hounds. Fig. 6 is aperspective on asimilar scale ofthe bottom plate, which constitutes a portion of the said socket. Fig. 7 is a section taken on linee z, Fig. l, looking toward the rear axle and. the bolster. Fig. 8 represents in perspective a pair of flanged plates adapted to be respectively secured to the bolster and the rear axle in order to provide a two-part bearing for the reach. Fig. 9 is a section taken on line z e', Fig. 1, but made on a somewhat larger scale. n

The rear hounds, A, are at their forward IOO and maintained at a xed distance apart by means of a pair of metal plates, Band O,which` are respectively fitted against the top and 5 bottom sides of the hounds, and securely bolted thereto by means of bolts C,which pass through the hounds and through ,the said top and bottom plates. The reach D, which will extend back from 'the front axle to and be- 1c tween the rear hounds, as usual, passes between these two plates, which latter, therefore, constitute portions of asocket formed between the two forward ends of the rear hounds. In order to incorporate in the construction of this socket means whereby the area of the socket can be contracted, so as to cause the reach to be -iirmly clamped between the top and bottom walls of the socket, and thereby any vertical play on the part of the reach 2o independently of the hounds prevented, and also so as to provide for either tightening up the top and bottom walls of the socket against the reach, or loosening the grip of said walls on the reach without either disconnecting lthe top and bottom plates,B and C, from the hounds, or in anywise adjusting or disturbing said plates 'in their connection with the hounds, I provide in or for substantially the greater portion of the lower wall ofthe socket a hori- 50 zontally-arranged and vertically-adjustable clamp-plate, E, and as a means for raising or lowering said clamp-plate so as to either contract the area of the socket or expand the same to its normal extent, I provide a vertically- 3 5 arranged adj usting-screw, F, which extends through the middle of the socket and passes through a threaded opening formed centrally through the clamp plate. This adjustingscrew has a bearing in 'the top plate, B, and is 40 providedratits upper end with an oblong eye, f, in which a board or rod can be fitted, so as to provide a convenient handle for operating the screw. When the socket is expanded to its greatest extent or area, the clamp-plate will bey seated either in or on the bottom plate, C, the preferred construction being to provide the said bottom plate with a substantiallyrectangular opening, c, correspon'dingin area to the clamp-plate, so as to permit the latter 5o to seat in the bottom plate and lie iiush therewith when desired.

By means ofthe adj usting-screw F the clampplate can be raised from its seat in the bottom plate'and drawn up against the reach, so as to cause the latter to be clamped between the clamp-plate E and the top plate, B,which latter also serves as a means for connecting the hounds. The adj usting-screw for the clampplate also passes through one of a series of holes, d, which are formed vertically through the reach, the position of the adj usting-screw in this series of holes being determined by the adjustment of the reach relatively to thel hounds and the rear axle, with which latter the hounds `are connected at their rear ends.

By means'of the clamp-plate and screw for adjusting thesanie the reach can be securely clamped between the top plate and the clampplate, which latter will bind against theunder side of the reach in proportion to the extent to which it is adjusted against the reach by operating the adjusting-screw.

In order to further secure the reach within the socketand to prevent any lateral play on the part of the reach independently of the hounds, I provide the top plate, B, with a pair of pendent wedge-shaped flanges, b', upon its under side; and I also provide the clamp-plate E upon its top or inner side with a pair of wedge-shaped flanges, e, of a like character.

."Ihese wedge -shaped flanges serve to exert against the sides of thereach a binding force proportional to the area of the socket, or to the extent to which the clamp-plate is drawn up against the reach, it being evident that the greater the extent to which the clamp-plate lis drawn upward and toward the top plate, B, the greater will be the binding force ofthe wedge-shaped flanges, which are arranged to come between the inner sides of the houndsl and the two sides of the reach. The flanges b of the top plate are formed somewhat back of the side edges thereof, and have their outer sides made by preference at right angles tol the plate, so as Vto form suitable shoulders, which, when the plate is secured to the hounds, constitute shoulders or abutments for the latter. These shoulders serve to steady the connection between the top plate and the hounds, and also constitute stops by means of which the relative position of the top plate and the hounds can be readily determined.

`Ihe anges e of the clamp-plate are formed directly along the side edges of the same, and, like the ianges of the top plate, have their outer sides formed at right angles to the plate, so as to conform to and fit against the flat inner sides of the hounds. Under such arrangement the wedge action of all the flanges is obtained by inclining or curving their inner sides, as illustrated in Fig. 2.V AIt will be understood, however, that any other wedge-conformation of flanges might be employed, the one herein shown being, however, the preferred one, since the hounds of a wagon are usually squared along their inner sides.

The iianges e of the clamp-plate extend beyond the ends of said plate, so as to form corner-extensions e', which,when the clamp-plate is seated in the opening c in the bottom plate, C, rest upon the bottom plate, and hence prevent the clampplate from dropping through the same in the event of the detachment of the adjusting-screw, which will become necessary in passing the reach through the socket and in adjusting the reach.

' The extensions e of the flanges of the clampplate are each provided with a pin or lug, e2, whichextends downwardly from the lower edge of the extension. These lugs are4 received in guide-openings c,'formed through IOO IIO

IIS

the'clamp-plate at points adjacent to the cor-V I .Y ners thereof, the lugs being adapted to slide through the said openings in order to permit the clamp-plate to be raised and lowered by the adjusting-screw. The lugs and openings thus arranged serve as guides for the clampplate, and will check any tendency on the part ot the same to shift to either side'or in the direction of its length. rIhe clamp-plate is also steadi'ed by these guides and prevented from binding at any one of its corners against the hounds when the adj ustingscrew is turned for the purpose of raising or lowering the clamp-plate; and in addition to all of these functions said guides' also serve to maint-ain the central screw-hole in' alignment with the adj usting-screw, so that when the latter is turned down through the reach the threaded opening in the clamp-plate will be in position to receive the screw. Y

The extensions e of the flanges of the clampplate are cut away at their lower edges, as at e3, the purpose of-which is to allow the clampplate to seat in the lower plate, C, flush with the latter at such time as it is vdesirable to ex pand the socket to its fullest extent-as, for instance, such position of the clamp-plate is desirable prior to and during the act of passing the reach through the socket.

In applying to the rear hounds the plates hereinbefore described, so as to connect the hounds together, and also so as to form a socket for the reach, the top plate, B, can be applied to the top sides ofthe hounds, with the outer sides of its flanges b abutting against the inner sides of the hounds, which relative position of the hounds and top plate will insure the proper position of the hounds relatively to the bottom plate, G, which latter, while supporting the clamp-plate, can be applied against the bottom sides of the hounds, and the top and bottom platesv rigidly secured to the hounds by means of bolts passing through the hounds, and the plates and nutstitted upon the bolts and tightened up against `one of the plates-fas, for example, against the bottom plate, C.

In Fig. 3 I have shown one ot' a pair of brace-rods, G, employed for 'connecting the rear axle with the forward ends of the hounds, in order to bracethe latter and thereby relieve the connections between the rear ends of the hounds and the rear axle from a portion of the strain. e

The forward ends of the bracerods are connected with the bottom plate, C, and for y the purpose of establishing a iirm and convenient connection between the brace-rodsand said plate I provide the latter with a pair of bosses, c, one of which is formed ateachof the rear corners of the bottom plate. These bosses are formed around the bolt-holes at said rear corners of the plate, and the brace-rods are each formed with an eye, y, which is iitted upon aboss, c2, of the bottom plate. In this way a strong connection is attained between the bracerod and the bottom plate independently of the bolts C', which extend through the bosses, so that their nuts can be tightened up againstv the eyes of the brace-rods and thereby hold the latter on the bosses. The brace-rods are at their rear ends provided with iiat eyes g', so as to admit of their being bolted to the under side of the rear axle. The bolts H, employed for securing the rear ends of p the hounds between the rear axle and the bolster, areV also conveniently utilized for bolting the brace-rods to the rear axle. In order to provide a socket or bearing, I, for the reach at a point between the bolster and the rear axle, I employ a pair of metal plates, 'i and i', which are respectively secured to the under side of the bolster and the top side of the rear axle, at the middle of each of said members, so that when the bolster and rear axle are properly connected together these twoplates shall come in opposition to each other.` The plate i is provided with a pair of flanges, i2, along its lower side edges, and the plate t" is provided along its upper side edges with a similar pair of flanges, i3, so that when the two plates are in opposition to eachother, vas in Fig. 6, the

iianges ot the two'plates shall constitute the side walls of asocket or bearing for the rear end ofthe reach.v vThese iianges have curved or inclined inner sides, so as to tv closely the sides vot the reach when the latter is extended through the bearing at this point. The plate i is provided at each of its flanged sides 'with 4a wedge or other suitably-.shaped soclreait,

andthe plate i is provided with side lugs, i5, project-ing upwardly from its danges i3, andA adapted to enter the sockets i* ofthe plate fr',

so as to practically lock the two plates to- Lglether. The plate i is provided in its top withv a` rectangular recess or seat, i, in which the bolster isseated, `while the plate i is provided in its bottom side with a rectangular recess, il, in which the middle portion of the rear axle is received,and both plates are provided wit-h screw or bolt holes i8, for the bolts or screws by which said pla-tes are respectively secured to the bolster and the rear axle.4 Thebolster will be provided with a recessl inwhich the middle portion ot the plate i will be seated, while the lianges ig, constitutingwalls of the recess i6 in said plate, will tit against the front and rear sides ofthe bolster. y In like manner the middle portion of the plate i will be seated in a recess formed inthe top side of the rear axle, while the `flanges im, constituting theside` walls of recess il in plate i', will iit against the front and rear sides of the rear axle. By thus seating these plates in the bolster-and rear axle the plates will be prevented from shifting along the said members, and by recessing the plates/so as to form iianges which embrace the iront and rear sides ot the bolster and axle, any tendency of the plates to slip transversely to the length ot the Amembers to which they are secured will be obviated. The lugs and notches of these plates also serve as guides for determining the proper positions of the bolster and axle relatively to each other-as, for example, after one plate has beensecured to the bolster at the middle thereof and the remaining plate secured to the rear axle at IIO the` middle of the latter, the bolster and rear axle canl be brought together into a position which will admit of the lugs on onevplate entering the sockets in the remaining plate,which condition will yaccurately define the proper relative position of the bolster to the axle, thereby saving time and labor in fitting the parts together.

VIn Fig. l the reach is shown drawn ont of and forward from the bearing between the bolster and rear axle, which condition may sometimes exist when it is desired to lengthen the wagon to a considerable extent; but under ordinary circumstances the rear end of the reach will extend through the bearing I, thus relieving the hounds from lateral strain to a considerable extent.

The remaining feature of this invention relates to the mode-of connecting the rear ends of the ,hounds with the bolster and rear axle.

As shown in Fig. 9, the rear end of one of the hounds is secured between the bolster and the rear axle by means of a tie-bolt, K, which serves to clamp the bolster and the axle against the hound and bind the said three members together. The use of tie-bolts and grooves or notches cut in the adjacent surfaces of the parts, as heretofore practiced, has been found to be attended with some disadvantages. Among these may be noted the difficulty of accurately determining the proper relative positions of the gains or notches in such members before the parts are tted together and the weakening of the parts by the cutting of said gains, the time and labor required to accurately determine the proper position of said members, and also the difficulty in bringing the lattersquarely together in case of the previously-warped condition of any one or more of them.

To avoid such objectionable featuresI have devised the following mode of securing togethi. er the hounds, the rear axle, and the bolster:

Prior to fitting the rear ends of the hounds between the bolster and the rear axle I bore through-each hound a pair of vertical holes, and into each hole drive a metalpin, L, of

j such length that both ends of each pin'project socketed to fit the pins, the sockets preferably being made conical, so as to force inwardly any rough edges upon the pins, and thereby pre'- pare them for entering the holes in the bolster, andthe bolster is then placed over and driven down' upon the pins and into contact with the hounds. These metal pins cause the bolster and the rear axle to seaty squarely against the hound when the vmembers are forced against each other, and also insure the location of the bolster at a point directly over the rear axle and prevent these two members from being secured otherwise than parallel with each other.V After the bolster and the rear axle 'nave been thus tted against the hound a vertical aperture is bored through the said three members, through which is inserted the bolt K.' By tightening up a nut upon one end of the bolt, the bolster, the hounds, and the axle can then be securely held together. The advantage of thus boring the hole for the tie-bolt after the bolster, rear axle, and hound have been fitted squarely together will be apparent, since to bore the hole through all the members without previously connecting them together would be extremelyinconvenient, and to bore a hole separately through each of said three members and to then place them together will frequently necessitateabending of the bolt, on account of the difficulty of boring the holes in the several parts so that they will come into exact alignment when the parts are placed together, and of the liability of the passage formed by the holes in the three part-s to lack the require-V ment of straightness by reason of the warped or other irregular condition of one or more of the parts.

It will be understood that the means above described for connecting the rear hounds with the rear axle and bolster may as well be applied for attaching the forward hounds to the for-v ward axle and the part above it. The connecting device referred to is therefore claimed IOU IIO

hounds, and embracing in the construction of its sides a connecting-plate, C, secured to the hounds and provided with guide-openings c', and a clamp-plate, E, provided with vertical wedge-shaped side anges, e, extended at their ends beyond the ends of the plate and provided with lugs e2, and combined with means, substantially as described, for raising and lowering the clamp-plate within the socket, for the purpose specified.

2. In the running-gear of a wagon, a plate bolted to the forward ends of the rear hounds to connect the same together, and provided around one or more of its bolt-holes with a boss, in combination with one or more bracerods, each connected at its rear end with the rear axle, and at its forward end provided with an eye fitted onone of said'bosses, substantially as described.

3. The running-gear of a wagon, provided between the rear axle and the bolster with a two-part metal bearing for the reach, said parts of the bearing being respeetivel y secured to the axle'and to the bolster, and provided f with mutually-engaging recesses and projections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4:. The running-gear of a Wagon, provided between the rear axle and the bolster with a metal bearing for the reach. composed of two parts which are respectively secured to the axle and the bolster, each one of these said parts of the bearing being provided with ianges and consituting one-half of a socket, and said two pairs of flanges being respectively provided upon their meeting edges with mutually-engaging recesses and projections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The running-gear of a Wagon, provided between the rear axle and the bolster With a two-part metal bearing for the reach, said two parts being provided with flanges forming a socket when the two parts of the bearing are brought together, and being also respectively NATHAN L. HOLMES.

Witnesses:

C. CLARENCE PooLE, OLIVER E. PAGIN. 

